Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, aged 84, has been hospitalized. He is undergoing observation due to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological condition. This was confirmed by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization he founded to promote justice and equality.
Jackson’s experience with health issues is not new. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over a decade ago, and his PSP diagnosis came in April 2022. The coalition shared that his family appreciates all the prayers during this difficult time.
PSP impacts movement, balance, and vision. It usually affects those in their 60s and can lead to severe disability within a few years. Despite these challenges, Jackson has continued to fight for racial equality and social justice. His activism spans more than six decades. In the 1960s, he emerged as a prominent figure alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
In 1971, Jackson launched Operation PUSH to uplift Black communities’ economic conditions. Later, he established the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984 to advocate for equal rights for all Americans. The two merged into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 1996.
Historically, Jackson’s movement began with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which aimed to tackle poverty and injustice. He first publicly addressed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017, describing it as a painful realization. He noted the importance of lifestyle changes and physical therapy to manage his health.
In recent years, Jackson faced several health struggles, including gallbladder surgery and a COVID-19 hospitalization. In 2021, a fall during a meeting led to further complications, but he continued to demonstrate resilience.
In July 2023, he announced his retirement as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, passing the leadership to Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III. Jackson’s legacy of fighting for justice remains strong, and his health journey emphasizes the courage needed in challenging times.
For more on progressive supranuclear palsy, you can refer to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
